Greenfield Village cookie cutter canister Hand-forged at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, these five quaint cutters come stacked in a tin and look like set pieces from Little House on the Prairie. $43. (313) 982-6144; giftshop.thehenryford.org

Fancy Flours cookie stamps Step away from the frosting. All you need is firm cookie dough to make a great impression (pun intended) with these tools. The Home Made stamp (at left in picture, $17) presses balls of dough into adorable medallions. The Message on a Cookie gadget (at right in picture, $20) comes with tiny moveable letters to spell names or greetings. One idea: Edible place cards! (406) 587-0118; fancyflours.com

Cookie box

For a modern alternative to the classic cookie tin, tuck treats in white bakery boxes, available at crafts stores. We dolled ours up with a cheerful red ribbon and lined the inserts with coordinating paper.

Sweet greeting

When you want to give more than a card, but less than a gift, slip a cookie or two in a plastic treat bag (available at crafts stores) with a solid-color piece of scrapbooking paper. Fold contrasting paper over the opening, punch two holes, then tie with ribbon.

Winter wonderland

Cross-country snowshoes Clarence Iverson began constructing snowshoes from Michigan white ash, rawhide and copper on the Upper Peninsula in 1956. Whether you hang them on the wall or wear them into the woods, they’ll last a lifetime—or several. From $227. (877) 452-6370; iversonssnowshoes.com

Good-for-you gift For a memorable and healthy gift, pack a pair of wool socks or cozy gloves in a bag with a Midwest hiking guide, then add a note inviting the recipient on the winter walk of their choice in the New Year.

Duluth Trading Company bags

The women on our staff fell hard for these rugged travel purses. Durable and attractive, with zippers that slide like a dream, they’re an affordable sure thing for any on-the-go gal. From $30. (800) 505-8888; duluthtrading.com

Hiking guides

Several companies publish books about day hikes in and around Midwest cities. Priced around $18, they make great gifts, especially for someone who just moved to a new town. A few we like: Moon’s Take a Hike, Falcon Guides’ Best Hikes Near, Menasha Ridge Press’ 60 Hikes within 60 Miles and Wilderness Press’ Walking.

Bemidji Woolen Mills mittens Trust a company that’s been working with wool for 92 years (and in Minnesota, no less) to keep your fingers warm. These ragg wool mittens and gloves have practical deerskin palms and soft pile lining. $29.50. (888) 751-5166; bemidjiwoolenmills.com

Start a new tradition

You hum along every year-—but have you ever eaten a chestnut roasted over an open fire? Midwest-grown chestnuts are readily available online starting in late fall, and Jacob Bromwell, a 193-year-old Cincinnati-founded company that crafts classic kitchen gear, sells this stove- and fire-safe roaster. You may only use it once a year, but when you do, you’ll know the holidays have arrived. Instructions and recipes included. $44.99. (800) 683-2626; jacobbromwell.com

Amy Cornwell miniature monogram Noblesville, Indiana, artist Amy Cornwell’s simple gold monogram charm (second from right in picture) would appeal to any age, but we like it as a special gift for a young girl. $25. amycornwell.com

Jeneri Jewelry necklaces Naperville, Illinois, artist Jennifer Neri offers an array of pieces stamped with dates, names or Braille letters (far right and middle necklace in picture). From $48. (216) 870-6838; etsy.com/shop/jenerijewelry (December 2012 update: Artist is on vacation and will not take further orders until January.)

Pearl inspirations

The inspiration and source for Nadine Leo’s jewelry flows right outside her door. At the Mississippi River Pearl Company in Alma, Wisconsin, Nadine sells earrings, necklaces and rings she makes with Mississippi pearls. Prices vary, starting around $50. (Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth have both worn her pieces.)

The endangered status of freshwater mussels adds to the mystique of Nadine’s work. Because invasive zebra mussels threaten the local kind’s population levels, harvesting is no longer permitted, so the number of pearls available is finite. But Nadine says she has enough to last her for years to come. (651) 301-1204; nadineleo.com

Veronica Riley Martens tagua necklace

Adorn yourself with lusciously hued necklaces made of slices of renewable tagua nuts from the Amazon rainforest. Bold, beautiful and “green.” What’s not to love? From $60. etsy.com/shop/veronicarileymartens

Don’t forget the pooch!

Potter Kim Berger makes gorgeous bowls and tasty treats for lucky dogs and cats (and humans, too) at her East Troy, Wisconsin, studio. The brightly colored dishes come in several sizes (from $15) and are heavy enough to withstand a dog’s eager mealtime rush. She uses eggs from her chickens in the biscuits, which come in a cute paw-printed box ($14). Bowls and biscuits can be personalized for no extra charge. (262) 210-5846; etsy.com/shop/kboriginalsetc

Tazza Glass candy canes

Mike Grau blows hundreds of glass ornaments every year at his studio in Medina, Ohio. Browse the huge array of balls and teardrops, or order several of these sparkly candy canes, available in a rainbow of sweet colors. $10. (440) 570-7172; tazzaglass.com

Faribault Woolen Mill Co. Soho throw

Of all the wool throws we snuggled under, this was the softest. Made in Minnesota, it’s a timeless Christmas gift that will cozy up the back of your sofa for winters to come. $130. (507) 412-5510; faribaultmill.com

Red aglaonema

We love this festive, easy-care houseplant as a long-lasting alternative to poinsettias. Find it at Lowes, Home Depot and Walmart this December. Because it’s not a traditional gift plant, you may want to dress up the pot. Center pot on a square of felt (sized so that ends fold up to reach the pot’s rim). Bring up one corner; hot-glue felt to the rim of the pot. Bring up adjacent corner, folding under excess, and hot-glue. Repeat with remaining corners. Finish with a ribbon and tag.

Decoylab clocks

A Walt Disney forest’s worth of cute critters (owls, bunnies, deer and more) populate this line of whimsical wall clocks made in Kansas City, Missouri. Many are perfect for a baby’s nursery; the trendy bird designs make a stylish accent for any room. $84. decoylab.com or etsy.com/shop/decoylab

Death’s Door Spirits gin

This Middleton, Wisconsin, distillery takes its name from the dangerous water between the Door County peninsula and Washington Island. Ingredients include Washington Island juniper berries and wheat. $30 for 750 ml. (608) 831-1083; deathsdoorspirits.com

Try it in our Jolly Gin Fizz, an effervescent, gingery cocktail, sweetened with pomegranate juice and spiked with gin.

Sechler’s pickles

Skip the grocery store gherkins, and try these guys, made in St. Joe, Indiana, since 1921. Candied-orange-flavored spears taste the way clove-studded oranges smell: Perfect for Christmas! $16.95 for a four-jar gift box. (800) 332-5461; gourmetpickles.com

J.W. Hulme iPad sleeve

Based in Saint Paul, J.W. Hulme has crafted canvas and leather goods since 1905. (The company supplied Army tents during WWI.) Their iPad sleeves can be monogrammed and make great gifts for business travelers. $125. (800) 442-8212; jwhulmeco.com

Salt Sisters vanilla infusion kit

Pour vodka over the beans, and in two months, you’ve got a giant bottle of vanilla extract. Made by a Goshen, Indiana, gourmet seasoning company, the kit and beans can be reused for another batch. $25.95. (574) 276-8871; saltsistersonline.com

Amy Butler smartphone skin

The Granville, Ohio, designer’s signature bold floral patterns will make any phone stand out from the crowd. A great stocking stuffer, they are available to fit a variety of models. $15. (866) 380-8130; skinit.com